The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-01

'Well. Tn rich enough to own . lit
tie yacht. at all events" he answered.
gayly. But now. Ailsa. darling. be-
fore we have any explanations, let me
set your mind at rest as to our future
movements. 1t is all very simple. !
have directed Will to see that we keep
but Just SO far ahead of the boats as
will encourage them to follow US. Be
tween now and tomorrow morning we
will lead them pretty nearly all over
the sound. and when we get them just
where it suits us we'll put on sail and
let them drop. At sunrise we'll be out
OF sight. and they will have some
twenty miles to row to react home.
Now. don't worry about your uncle.
Ailsa. for he'll have the easiest time of
it all. It's the poor rascals who pull
the oars that you should pity. But
long before day you will be safely at
home again. and no one will know
where you have been or how you came
back. This is my plan. Ailsa, and that
is what we will do unless"
Allan paused, hesitated and turned
away.
"Unlcss what. Allan?' said Ailsa,
timidiy.
He came again to her side and sank
upon his knees beside her chair. bend
ing his stately young head until
it rested upon her arm. while his dark
eyes looked up into her own.
"Aiisa. my darling. my own dear
little lassier' he whispered. show long
is my waiting to last? Won't ;ou end
it. dearest3 Are your uncle's whim-
isical fancics TO keep us apart forever
| am an American, and hundred
thousand years ago. more or less, the
Macfarlanes and GOrdons were foes.
These were my sins in his eyes, when
asked him so long ago, if might try to
win you. Such they. will always be.
But You are of age, darling. and can
end all this if you will. l know that
you care for me. and II love you SO
dearly that every hour l spend away
from you is pain. Ailsa. my own dear
little girl, let me take you home as !
said would. but give me the right to
stay there with you and meet your
guardian, strong in the knowledge that
you are my wife. Tell me, Ailsa shall
we have it sop
Ailsa's eyes grew dim with tears. but
she answered with playfulness which
to Allan Gordon seemed to convey
every thing of tenderness that the
world contained.
''You have carried me away from
home without asking my yea or nay.
Allan. You are won,lrously polite to
begin inquiring my wishes now"
The first sight which greeted Dun.
can Macfarlanc's eyes when he arrived
home the next afternoon was the
strange sloop he had followed all night
long. riding peacefully at anchor be-
fore his cottage. with her boat drawn
up on his own beach. Scarcely able
to speak in his amazemcnt, he rushed
into the house, to be met by tall,
broad-shouidered gentleman whom
his blushins niece introduced as her
husband, Allan Gordon. Duncan
Macfarlane dropped in chair,
turning purple in the face. and for !:
few moments it looked like apoplexy,
and Allan feared it was all over with
him. But the sturdy old Scot rallied,
fortunately too weak to speak imme.
diately. and Allan made good use OF
the time in telling Ills eloquent tale
and in giving full ard complete state.
merits as to his own social and linan.
cial standing. 1t may probably have
been the last considerations which
turned TIE scale. but what old Dun.
can Macfarlane said, as he fccbly OK.
tended his hand to the young man.
WAS:
After all. ye'rc a brave lad. an6
come Of guild old race. Take tho
lass; We wen her bravcly, but war.
rant yc think her wcel worth a The
trouble.
And Allan did.-!Sau francisco En-.
Nnincr.